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Nixon: Scanning, Retaining Of Concealed Carry Documents To End

The Missouri Department of Revenue will cease scanning source documents for conceal-carry weapons applicants, also known as CCW’s.  This news comes a day after the resignation of now-former DOR Director Brian Long.

In a statement released Tuesday, Governor Jay Nixon (D) says scanning and retaining conceal carry certificates are “not essential to the integrity of the license issuance process.”  State Senator Kurt Schaefer (R, Columbia), who’s been leading the attack on the Department of Revenue’s policy, is not satisfied.  He says the Governor’s decision still doesn’t explain why the entire list of CCW holders in Missouri was given to a federal investigator.

“Everything indicates to me that this was not a criminal investigation," Schaefer said.  "It looks to me like this was simply a fishing expedition or some other purpose, to basically profile over 160,000 Missourians who have a conceal carry permit, and that is wrong and it’s a violation of state law.”

Schaefer is also unhappy that the Dept. of Revenue will continue to scan documents for driver’s license applicants.  Nixon, meanwhile, says GOP lawmakers are using the controversy to divert attention away from Medicaid expansion.  He also got frustrated with reporters at Tuedsay's Medicaid rally at the State Capitol for asking whether his administration violated the law regarding the scanning of documents.

“To have the entirety of what's going on here -- the most significant public policy issue I've faced in 26 years -- (to) be pulled away for a few questions so that (Republican lawmakers) can divert the attention of the public from what needs to get done over the next five weeks, it’s time folks got back to work here and focus on what needs to get done," Nixon said.

Meanwhile, Schaefer says next year’s budget for the department’s Motor Vehicles Division will remain at zero until they get some answers on whether the public’s money is being appropriately spent.  

Marshall Griffin is the Statehouse reporter for St. Louis Public Radio.
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